Michael Jacques Jr., suspect in Springfield church arson, wants to testify in hearing

File photo by Michael S. Gordon / The RepublicanMichael F. Jacques, of Springfield, is seen in Hampden Superior Court last year.

SPRINGFIELD – Weeks after an evidentiary hearing in a federal church arson case concluded, the lone defendant of three still asserting his innocence is demanding to take the witness stand in his own defense.

Frustrating the judge in the case, Michael F. Jacques Jr. returned to U.S. District Court on Thursday after reconsidering his decision not to testify in the hearing in a bid to squash his alleged confession, according to his defense lawyer.

Gleason and Haskell, who have already pleaded guilty in the case, told investigators they crept through the woods behind Gleason’s house and doused the partially constructed, primarily black church with gasoline before using homemade “napalm” to burn it to the ground.

Haskell was sentenced to nine years in prison and Gleason is awaiting sentencing. He has agreed to testify against Jacques should he go to trial.

The arson drew national attention because of its proximity to the election of the nation’s first black leader. A battalion of federal and state law enforcement officials descended on the burn site within hours.

According to testimony in federal court, Haskell was drawn in by a sting performed by federal agents and state police. He quickly gave up his friends after admitting to the crime, investigators testified. He wore a wire on the other two and accompanied an undercover state police trooper to entice his friends to make similar admissions.

Videotaped interviews played for U.S. District Court Judge Michael A. Ponsor showed Jacques was perhaps the toughest nut to crack and denied any involvement over about seven hours of questioning.

During evidentiary hearings, Ponsor repeatedly questioned why Jacques made a marked turnabout after an 11-minute smoke break that was not recorded. The judge noted that Jacques went from staunchly denying any role in the blaze, to compliant as a lamb when he returned.

The videotaped showed he admitted to participating in the arson and even drew a map to show the route through the woods the trio took to the church. However, Jacques has argued he was in the throes of Percoset withdrawal and investigators bullied him into the admissions.

Defense lawyer Lori H. Levinson asked that any testimony Jacques offer be restricted to what happened during that 11-minute window. Ponsor said Jacques, however, will have to take his chances.

“I will not give any assurances as to what I will permit the government to ask on cross-examination,” Ponsor told Levinson, who reluctantly said her client will insist on taking the stand either way.

The judge said he will reopen the evidentiary hearing on Dec. 23, when Jacques will testify.